NTU startup enables new opportunities for marketers

Launches mobile app that allows viewers to interact with television or video screens.

Credit: NTU

A startup from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) recently unveiled a mobile app that could enable new opportunities for marketers in Singapore.

Named HEY! Shake, the app allows viewers to interact with television or video screens. It aims to convert passive viewers into potential customers for broadcasters, video content providers, movie theatres and digital advertising screens.

To use the app, users will have to open the mobile app and shake their phone at a video screen. They will then be directed to various online content sites, such as Facebook.

Using patent-pending technology called AirSense, HEY! Shake detects sound patterns encoded in the audio track to recognise which video the user is watching.

The app then quickly connects to the cloud servers in order to pull related content such as additional videos, websites or lucky draws.

The technology powering the app was developed by NTU spin-off company Cloud Wings, and invented by Associate Professor Wen Yonggang, director of the Innovation Lab at the School of Computer Science and Engineering, NTU Singapore.

"Not only can our technology make video social again but also interactive by allowing product placements and relevant information to be directly accessible to the viewer with just a simple shake of the phone," said Associate Professor Wen.

HEY! Shake was launched during this year's Freshmen Welcome as a pilot test of the technology.

During the pilot, students interacted with videos playing on campus TV screens to get access to exclusive content and win prizes.

"As a technological university, we walk the talk, by embracing smart technologies which can enhance the everyday lives of our students, faculty and staff. The new HEY! Shake opens up a new avenue of internal communication via our campus screens, which can inform our students of interesting activities and news," said NTU Associate Provost for Student Life, professor Kwok Kian Woon.

HEY! Shake is available free on Apple App Store and Google Play store.